India vs Pakistan: Sunil Chhetri’s Indian football team registered a thumping 4-0 win over Pakistan on the opening day of the SAFF Championship 2023 on Wednesday. The Indian team dominated the entire contest and skipper Chhetri scored a hat-trick as the Blue Tigers thrashed their opponents. India also managed to keep the opposition at bay as they maintained yet another clean sheet at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
After winning the Intercontinental Cup just a few days back, India continued their form in the SAFF Championship. Their first breakthrough came when the Pakistan goalkeeper made a huge mistake by losing the ball in front of the box and Indian skipper Chhetri waited for his chance. The Indian captain drove the ball to the keeper to put India ahead 1-0. Moments later, Chhetri converted a 1–0 lead into 2–0 with a penalty strike.
However, there was a bit of scuffle in the match as Pakistan players and Indian head coach Igor Stimac clashed with each other in the first half. The first half ended with India leading 2–0.
Even in the second half, India did not let off the pedal gas. They pushed for more chances and Sunil Chhetri got another penalty with a tackle on a Pakistan player in the box. Chhetri cashed in his 90th international goal to put India ahead 3-0. Later on, Udanta Singh managed to clear him offside and he beat the goalkeeper to make it 4–0.
The Indian team will now take on Nepal in the second match of the tournament on June 24, followed by the hosts’ final league match against Kuwait on June 27.